Steve Foster

Registered

I'm posting on behalf of Peter Lucas of Mylocosound who is unable to do so, due to ongoing problems in Australia with the forum. Here's what he has sent me:

Sarah Winfield’s thread about the new MyLocoSound Light Diesel soundcard made us think a bit harder about the use of our soundcards on DCC. No, we don’t have a sound decoder…but we don’t need one. Our existing soundcards, universal steam, diesel, electric and the Light Diesel, will all work perfectly well with basic, non-sound decoders like the Massoth 8154501. The attached diagram shows how. Wiring is simple and, best of all, you don’t have to fiddle with any DCC addresses or CVs to make it work. The rechargeable battery keeps the sound going when the loco is stationary and will be recharged automatically when the loco is running. The key to the simplicity is the automation which can be selected in the soundcard. For example, a light diesel can be set up to start the engine when the throttle is give a small tweak, an airbrake release and a horn blast on moving off, a timed horn when running, a brake squeal on stopping and engine shut down after a minute of inactivity. All of this can be set to happen automatically using a TV remote control. The universal steam, diesel and electric soundcards all have similar automation facilities.

For those who are more knowledgeable about DCC, there are more advanced options. The battery can be discarded in favour of connecting to the decoder’s constant voltage output in the range of 8v to 22v. If you know how to handle CVs, the horn, guard’s whistle, engine start/stop, etc can be triggered by the controller buttons using the function outputs or servo outputs with a servo switch.

The result is that you can upgrade a DCC loco to sound for under seventy pounds (including speaker and TV remote control) compared with switching to a sound decoder which can be three times more expensive.

Peter Lucas

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Greg Elmassian

Registered

So, it would be worthwhile to mention (and I realize this is true) that the Mylocosound sound unit will not be "confused" by the PWM normally sent to motors by remote controllers. Not all sound cards can do this. This is a good feature.

The other thing that would be helpful, is to realize that there is really not a "constant voltage output" as standard on DCC decoders. Often rectified track voltage is available, but it's not normally identified as such, although for all intents and purposes it is constant.

There's often a regulated 5 volts available, but the current limits may be too low.

So, can you specify the maximum current drain of the Mylocosound decoder, at max volume and how this varies (if at all) between 18 volts and 24 volts?

Greg Elmassian

Registered

You should not require the unidentified gadget which appears to be a voltage regulator. The MLS should work on unregulated voltage, and the DCC track voltage will be relatively constant, although the MLS may not be rated for the full DCC standard voltage of 24 volts.

I assume you are using one decoder, just showing the same one twice?

The question to ask, is does the MLS trigger when the inputs are pulled to ground and is a pull up resistor needed? You won't be anywhere near the function "output" limits I would believe.

John S

Registered

You should not require the unidentified gadget which appears to be a voltage regulator. The MLS should work on unregulated voltage, and the DCC track voltage will be relatively constant, although the MLS may not be rated for the full DCC standard voltage of 24 volts.

I assume you are using one decoder, just showing the same one twice?

The question to ask, is does the MLS trigger when the inputs are pulled to ground and is a pull up resistor needed? You won't be anywhere near the function "output" limits I would believe.

Included the voltage regulator, both Massoth and a PIKO CS will output more than 22V, and when accurately measured across either DEK + and DEK-, or a Function Output and DEK+, will exceed the limit of the input of 22 volts to the soundcard, as mentioned in Steve's #post1.

From another diagram for the Soundcard instructions for a Reed Switch, input is pulled to ground.

Captions, M Decoder Top & M Decoder Bottom.

Last edited: 17 Jun 2018

idlemarvel

Registered

If the goal is to add sound to a DCC loco and you have a Massoth M decoder and are okay at fine soldering you can fit a SUSI sound module for a similar price. Massoth L and XL have SUSI sockets which makes this option easier. Not necessarily recommending this over locosound just pointing out other options.

Dave Miller a.k.a. idlemarvel

Zerogee

Clencher's Bogleman

If the goal is to add sound to a DCC loco and you have a Massoth M decoder and are okay at fine soldering you can fit a SUSI sound module for a similar price. Massoth L and XL have SUSI sockets which makes this option easier. Not necessarily recommending this over locosound just pointing out other options.

Steve Foster

Registered

From actual measurements on the card, the maximum power drawn by the MLS card is 2.5W, when the horn is being sounded on its highest volume. Normally it's around one Watt. The current drain will increase as the voltage lowers, within the operating range, as the card tries to maintain sound output. If not enough power is available at whatever voltage, the amplifier cuts-off, then powers up, then cuts of..etc - producing a 'clicking ' sound.

When the function inputs are grounded, the current draw on each is 0.5mA.

Steve

Proprietor of Fosworks

Incorporating Peter Spoerer and Timpdon Electronics

M

Moonraker

Registered

As Zerogee says, SUSI modules are a sophisticated option for adding sound to locomotive decoders. However they usually require a lot of setting CVs to make them work the way you want and many garden railway enthusiasts find that technically difficult. That's why we chose to adjust sounds using a TV remote control which everyone is familiar with.

Regards Peter Lucas MyLocoSound

PhilP

G Scale, 7/8th's, Electronics

As Zerogee says, SUSI modules are a sophisticated option for adding sound to locomotive decoders. However they usually require a lot of setting CVs to make them work the way you want and many garden railway enthusiasts find that technically difficult. That's why we chose to adjust sounds using a TV remote control which everyone is familiar with.

John S

Registered

Bit the bullet and ordered a steam soundcard, remote, and a visaton speaker arrived the following day, can't fault the delivery service.

Today's been the first chance to try it out and test/setup according to the well set out and explained instructions that came with it.

All works as it should, next step will be a spot of tinkering, will have to be fitted in around the completion of the "woodland garden" which the local wildlife have flocked too, and of course the matches of the World Cup get priority!